| Southern Reach East Group Middle Reach Northern Reach |
Splayed along more than 50 nautical miles of the southeast coast of Vancouver Island are the sheltering Gulf Islands and their protected channels and waterways. Cast in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island, their climate is dramatically drier than much of the northwestern coast, even desert-like with native cacti on some islands.
The opportunities for cruisers in the islands run from charming Oak Harbor in the South, a suburb of Victoria with its shopping, attractions, and history, to uninhabited islands, and most things in between. The very variety of the region makes it an excellent destination for family sailing – one can be pampered ashore with pools and restaurants at the resorts, spend quiet nights at anchor in one of the provincial parks, visit the many used book stores of Sidney, see hundreds of butterflies in Brentwood Bay.
Most of the islands have permanent populations, and the quieter pace of island life ranges from retirement communities to young family enclaves, summer youth camps to naturist retreats. Yes, there are elementary schools in the islands, as well as a secondary (high) school, and yes there is a boat bus. The relaxed lifestyle is tempting to many, despite the limitations to shopping, transportation. (During my walks on the islands I’m always impressed with the number of bicycles and fellow pedestrians of all ages – and the number of bike baskets!)
As each island and area has a slightly different character, the Gulf Island destinations are broken down into four regions: the Southern Reach being from Trial Island north to Satellite Channel and from Haro Strait to the Vancouver Island shore; the Eastern Group including the islands and waterways bounden by Active Pass, Swanson Channel, Boundary Pass and the Georgia Strait; the Middle Reach stretching from Satellite Channel to Porlier Pass, including Thetis Island; and the Northern Reach from Porlier Pass to Nanaimo and a bit beyond.
Each section is organized roughly South to North (in keeping with the counter-clockwise circumnav direction.) Major channels are covered, as well as smaller ones which are important for us. As we get to more places, they’ll be written up here. (If you want to help out, contact me!)
Southern Reach
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Eastern Group
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Middle Reach
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Northern Reach
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Resources:
- Tourism Victoria: Gulf and Discovery Islands
